6 Ways to Master Your Job Search
Being out of work, especially in a tough economy, is always a frustrating situation.
You may start to feel a sense of hopelessness as the days and weeks go by without
a job interview.
Luckily, the situation is not hopeless, even if you鈥檝e struggled for months to find
a new job. Below are strategies to help you rise above other job candidates.
No. 1: Contact everyone you know
Don鈥檛 rely only on Web postings. Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they know of
any job opportunities. Most jobs are found through a one-on-one contact. Many are
never even advertised. They are simply waiting for the right person to stumble onto
them. So don鈥檛 be shy about asking people who care about you and want you to succeed.
And don鈥檛 be afraid to call people you haven鈥檛 seen for years. Many may be glad to
help if they know you鈥檙e looking for work.
No. 2: Use online resources
More and more employers are using online social networks. such as LinkedIn and online
job search engines, such as Indeed.com, to advertise jobs and find workers. You can
easily create a profile on a site like LinkedIn with your resume (without your home
address or phone number), job history, online references, and a professional-looking
photo. If you see a job listed on LinkedIn that you鈥檇 like to apply for, check under
the company鈥檚 name to see if you know anyone who works there, even a friend of a friend.
If those contacts are people who like you and your work, ask if they鈥檒l consider recommending
you or telling the HR department about your application.
No. 3: Look into unions, alumni groups, and professional associations
A union or another professional association could assist you in finding the right
job depending on your job training or skills. Associations generally offer job listings
and support. This includes additional education in your field or professional conferences
and contacts. Alumni associations can also be useful. Ask contacts there who to send
your resume and contact information to if a job comes up.
No. 4: Redo your r茅sum茅
If you recently lost a job, you may have an outdated r茅sum茅. It might be time to start
from scratch. You might want to get professional help. Or look at examples online.
The new r茅sum茅 style is short and to the point. It should give specific examples of
how you helped your former employers succeed. It should also be professional-looking
and well-organized.
No. 5: Practice the interview
Job interviews can definitely make anyone feel nervous. You will do better by preparing
in advance. Write down some of the questions you might expect, such as, 鈥淲hy do you
want this job?,鈥 鈥淲hy do you think you鈥檙e qualified for it?,鈥 and 鈥淲hat are your greatest
strengths and weaknesses?鈥 Then, have a trusted friend or relative help you prepare
by going through the list of questions with you. Preparing thoughtful answers in this
way can help you speak more clearly and confidently during a real interview.
No. 6: Ask the right questions
During an interview, a potential employer is listening not only to how you answer
questions, but also to what kind of questions you ask. Your questions can tell how
much you鈥檙e interested in the job. And if you understand the responsibilities and
expectations of that job. Read up on the company before the interview by going to
its website. This way you don鈥檛 ask questions that are already answered there. Ask
questions like 鈥淲hat are the most important things to do to really succeed on the
job in my first year?鈥
No. 7: Send a thank you note
You鈥檝e gotten in the door. Good manners will help keep it open. Sending a handwritten
thank you note or even an online thank you email within 2 days of the interview will
help keep you in the employer鈥檚 mind and in the running.